Chemistry

At St Helen’s, we believe that studying science helps students appreciate and understand the rapidly changing and evolving world in which they live.  It teaches them to make observations, collect information and draw conclusions, by being reflective and analytical.

In Year 5, students learn about space, forces, lifecycles, properties of materials, changing materials and separating techniques. In Year 6, students study light, electricity, the human body, acids and alkalis, temperature, microbes and variation. Lessons take place in our dedicated junior science laboratory and we have a strong emphasis on working scientifically and practically, to equip our students with essential laboratory skills.

Year 7 students learn fundamentals such as states of matter, atoms, elements, and the periodic table. They then go on to discover acids and alkalis, chemical reactions and separating mixtures through investigative work. They explore the three sciences on a rotation system throughout the academic year. In Year 8, students move on to study further chemical reactions, including those of metals and fuels. Writing chemical equations helps develop an understanding of these reactions, while a foray into environmental science gives learners an appreciation of how chemistry can help us understand our world. A specialist teacher will guide them through variety of experiments and demonstrations designed to build on their knowledge and skills from Year 7.

In Year 9 students embark upon the academically rigorous Edexcel GCSE chemistry qualification, which strikes the balance between traditional and contemporary chemistry. Learners are encouraged to be curious about the world around them as well as to think critically. GCSE chemistry is taught by subject experts in our dedicated laboratories. Our enthusiastic teachers aim to foster an awareness not only of the vast range of applications of chemistry but also the economic, ethical and societal implications of the subject. From Year 10, students can elect to study three separate sciences or combined sciences; both qualifications are the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery, which could lead to further study at A level and beyond.

Whether you are considering a future in a science-based or medical field, or simply because you love the subject, A level chemistry builds on GCSE understanding and provides a foundation for higher-level study. The OCR Chemistry A course covers key concepts of chemistry, and practical skills are integrated throughout. The combination of academic challenge and practical focus ensures chemistry is a popular Sixth Form option.

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY